If you love to bake, then why not try your hand at some Italian cookies? These cookies make a great dessert after your Italian meal or a sweet snack to go along with your cup of espresso. Two popular recipes are almond biscotti and Italian butter cookies, so here is how to make these two sweet treats.
Almond Biscotti
One of the more popular Italian cookies is almond biscotti. Truly Italian, it is often served with a cup of coffee. You can make these to eat on your own or share them as a gift for family and friends. You will need to gather some ingredients to prepare these Italian cookies. You will need:
o 3/4 cup of butter
o 1 cup of sugar
o 3 eggs
o 3 cups of flour
o 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
o 1 teaspoon of anise extract
o 1 tablespoon anise seed
o 3 and 3/4 teaspoons of baking powder
o 1 cup chopped almonds (you can also substitute walnuts if you do not have almonds)
o Optional: one ounce of rum or brandy (you will need to add a little extra flour to make the dough the proper consistency)
To prepare your Italian cookies, you will want to soften the butter in a small sauce pan on low heat or in the microwave. Pour into a mixing bowl. Add sugar and beat for about 30 seconds on low, then increase to medium for an additional two to three minutes or until the butter begins to cream.
Add in the eggs, vanilla, and anise extract, beating for an additional 30 seconds. In a separate bowl combine the flour with the baking powder, chopped nuts, and anise seed.
Add this to the cream mixture, stirring by hand until the dough becomes stiff. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead until it is smooth. If the dough is sticky, add in small amounts of flour.
Once thoroughly kneaded, divide the dough into two or three pieces and form it into long, thin rolls. Bake the Italian cookies at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, removing when a light brown. Allow to cool and then cut diagonally into 1/2 slices. Return to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until toasted. Cool and serve.
Italian Butter Cookies
These Italian cookies make for a sweet dessert or snack. You can also use them as a holiday treat by topping with a glazed cherry and decorative sugar for a festive look. To bake these treats you will need:
o 1 pound of butter, softened
o 1 cup of powdered sugar
o 1 cup of finely chopped walnuts
o 3.5 cups of sifted flour
o 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
o Powdered sugar
To create these Italian cookies you will want to first soften the butter. Pour it into a mixing bowl, adding in one cup of powdered sugar and the vanilla. Beat for about 30 seconds on low, and then increase the speed to medium and beat for an additional two to three minutes so that the butter creams. Stir in the walnuts.
Add in small amounts of flour at a time, mixing thoroughly until the dough becomes stiff. Spoon out portions of the dough, roll into balls, and then press with the bottom of a glass.
Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the Italian cookies from the pan and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
| Price : $73.09 | Post Date : Jan 03, 2012 04:45:33
